Some group of students of the University of Ghana have petitioned the office of the Vice Chancellor about what they describe as an outrageous utility bills to be paid by students come next academic year.
According to them, a reliable information provided by the Students’ Representative Council of the University shows that residential students will pay over Ghc 2,000 in addition to the usual fees they pay as utilities. This they believe will further force students to defer their courses if nothing is done to remedy the situation.
BELOW IS THE FULL PETITION PRESENTED TO THE OFFICE OF THE VICE CHANCELLOR
UNIVERSITY OF GHANA
POST OFFICE BOX LG 25
ACCRA.
17th June, 2016.
THE VICE CHANCELLOR
UNIVERSITY OF GHANA
P.O. BOX LG 25
LEGON.
Dear Sir,
PETITION ON THE PAYMENT OF UTILITY BILLS
We the undersigned students of the University Of Ghana write to register our dissatisfaction with respect to the projected imposition of utility bills on students as from next academic year; and further plead the powers of your office as to overturn that impending inconvenience.
Credible information from the Students Representative Council indicate that, pending the outcome of the next council meeting slated for 30th June, 2016, students of this institution are likely to pay Utility bills as from next academic year.
There is also the certainty that should the government remain adamant in responding to the University’s management on issues regarding Utility bills, students shall be compelled to pay the following respective amounts as utility bills for the 2016/2017 academic year.
1.Resident Students- GH₵ 2,326.20
2. Non-Resident Students- GH₵ 920.88
Sir, we would like to humbly remind you of the perennial hardship that the average student of the University Of Ghana goes through to pay school fees and residential charges.
In addition to the annual increment of our fees, cost of living on campus is overwhelmingly expensive, and coming by a three-square meal is almost an impossibility for the average student.
We wish to indicate that even though students bargained for a 70:30 percentage modality for the payment of tuition fees last academic year as a means of relative convenience; some students still had to defer their entire academic programme due to the perpetual hurdle of financial constraints.
It stands to reason from the above that students face a huge challenge financially, and hence the imposition of utility bills will only serve as a policy which will defray our academic pursuits here in this institution.
In the exercise of utmost convenience therefore, we propose the following:
1. That you advocate for students not to be billed with utilities during the upcoming University Council meeting scheduled for 30th June, 2016.
2. That the University devised other alternatives in settling the utility bills without the inclusion of students.
In conclusion, we wish to state unequivocally that STUDENTS CANNOT PAY UTILITY BILLS as from next academic year and as such we plead your absolute consideration in that matter.
We are hoping to hear from you soon.
Thank You.
Signed:
CHIEF PETITIONERS
1. Ayirebi-Acquah D. Schandorf
[email protected]
0273141821
2. Julius Jayson Botchway
[email protected]
0553014755
3. Daniel Otting Awuah
[email protected]
0540902132
4. Afful Kwaku Appiah
[email protected]
0268981519
CC:
-The Pro Vice Chancellor, Academic and Students Affairs
-The Office of the Registrar
-Office of the Dean of Students Affairs
-The Residential Board Council
-The SRC President
-All JCR Presidents
-Radio Univers
